MORPHOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE SUPRAORBITAL REGION AND FRONTAL-SINUS IN MELANESIAN CRANIA

The supraorbital region and frontal sinuses have figured prominently i n human craniofacial studies from both a phylogenetic and functional s tandpoint. However, the quantitative relationship between these two cr anial structures has not been fully explored in modern human populatio ns. At least one potential reason for this shortcoming may be the diff iculty in assessing metric variation within these structures. Here we present data from a study of these two structures incorporating both t raditional morphometrics and dimensions obtained using CT technology o n a sample of adult modern Melanesian crania. Results from correlation analyses indicate that the medial supraorbital region shares a signif icant correlation with frontal sinus dimensions. More lateral supraorb ital measurements lack this association. Evidence is considered which suggests that medial supraorbital projection structurally affects fron tal sinus expansion. Additionally, an hypothesis is offered predicting that frontal sinus development significantly influences the height of the superciliary arch. These results, from a single regional populati on using limited morphometric dimensions, are considered in context of extant modern human variation and the potential applications of CT te chnology in morphometrics.